ST. GEORGE – With kids returning to school and their peers, St. George Mayor Jon Pike has joined several key partners in both the public and private sector throughout Washington County to launch an important countywide initiative urging parents to set clear family rules about no underage drinking. Pike will be in attendance with many of these partners at an event Thursday at noon to kick off the initiative.

Answering the mayor’s call to action, Intermountain Healthcare, Washington County School District and several local businesses have partnered with Parents Empowered, the state underage drinking prevention initiative, to remind Washington County residents of the negative consequences of teen drinking and what parents can do to prevent it.

“We are very proud of the countywide commitment from both the public and private sectors to keep our kids alcohol-free,” Pike said. “We understand the life-long implications alcohol can have on a developing teen, and we aim to ensure all teens grow up free from the potential devastation caused by underage drinking.”

Leadership from Intermountain Healthcare and Washington County will join Pike to formally launch the initiative at a press event on Thursday at noon in the main lobby of the Intermountain Healthcare’s River Road Clinic, located at 577 S. River Road in St. George. The event is also open to public.